By David James Heiss
Redlands News Collective
Photo by David James Heiss
Nearly 120 cars were on display at the annual Veterans Car Show at the Redlands Elks Lodge on Saturday.
REDLANDS — Nearly 120 cars and trucks spanning decades of automotive history lined the parking lot of the Redlands Elks Lodge on Saturday for the fifth annual Veterans Car Show.
Vehicle owners paid a $25 registration fee to display their Bel Airs, Ford Mustangs, roadsters, and Cobras. All proceeds went to benefit the lodge’s Veterans Committee programs supporting local military veterans.
Photo by Brian Spears
Mike Eronzini stands with his restored 1957 Bel Air.
Mike Eronzini, of Highland, entered four restored vehicles in the show. He expressed particular pride in his blue and purple-pearl 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air two-door sedan, the shell of which he discovered in Roswell, New Mexico, just three years ago.
“I had the same kind of car when I was 15,” said Eronzini, who works as general manager of an RV dealership.
When he acquired the nostalgic find, it had roughly 76,000 miles on the odometer but lacked an engine and transmission. The newly restored rendition has roughly 55 miles on it—making it the fifth car Eronzini has rebuilt.
“This was never going to be on the road again,” Eronzini said. “Getting a car rebuilt and restored, and giving it new life, having it on the road again, is a satisfying feeling.”
Eronzini also helped his friend, Nestor Solis, of Highland, restore a metallic plum-colored 1953 Ford F-100 pickup.
Photo by Brian Spears
Redlands Elks Lodge member Shannon Dumelle achieved recognition for her 1932 Ford Roadster.
Solis, a retired UPS driver, acquired the truck 26 years ago after his wife, Lisa, fell in love with it, purchasing it for $8,000 in 2000. Throughout his working career, the truck remained in storage.
After retiring nearly a year ago, Solis gave his wife an ultimatum: “We’re either fixing it up or selling it.”
Since then, he has enjoyed tracking down and installing a new motor and transmission.
“I’ve always loved old cars,” Solis said, “but this has been fun to drive. I love it.”
Photo by Brian Spears
Mike Neuer receives the Best In Show Award for his 1956 Pontiac, from the award’s designer and co-sponsor, Jessi Kohrell.
Sponsored winners of the 2026 Redlands Elks Lodge Veterans Car Show
(Best In Show) Mike Neuer, blue 1956 Pontiac
Oscar Santos, blue-gray 1958 Chevy Impala
Steve Jarvic, orange-ivory 1956 Chevy Nomad
Bruce Becker, orange 1960 Ford Rancher
“Nick,” white 1958 Chevy Corvette
Bill Holderby, green 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air
Bill Blankenship, red 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air
Jessi Kohrell, blue 1972 Chevy C10
Sherri Salazar, burgundy 1965 Ford Mustang
Burton Beam, cardinal red 1967 Mercury Cyclone GT
Larry Brown, gold Chevy Chevelle SS
Shannon Dumelle, orange 1932 Ford Roadster
Nestor Delis, dark purple Ford F 100
Bob Ferris, blue 1965 Cobra
Mike Neuer, blue 1956 Pontiac Safari
Rick Gomes, red 1965 Chevrolet El Camino
David Hoehn, charcoal gray 1937 Ford Coupe
Robin Harter, orange 1966 Ford Fairlane
Fred Edsell, black 1986 Pontiac Grand National
Rich Day, red 1930 Ford
Hector Garcia, cream 1972 Chevy C-20 pickup
Tom Drake, white 1960 Chevy El Camino
Joe Fiedler, gray 1966 Chevrolet Corvette
Dwayne Anthony, orange 1940 Ford Deluxe
Randy Scott, yellow 1966 Chevy Chevelle
Lynn Chapman, black 1937 Packard 115C
Ron Williams, coral 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air